S.O.A.P. 30 Day Challenge – Day #1, September 1, 2023 “Blessing Awaits the Persecuted.”

S. Revelation 6:9-11 (NIV) 9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. 10 They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” 11 Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been.

O. John writes of the future, perhaps this is what some writers and theologians refer to as the Great Tribulation (a future time when believers will lose their life because of their faith in Jesus). Regardless of where this event is on God’s timeline, believers are assured of at least two things: living for Jesus brings persecution (all those who live godly lives in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution 2 Timothy 3:12) and that there is a future reward for faithfully staying the course in serving Jesus (yet there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness 2 Timothy 4).

A. I have not faced persecution that was of the nature of being life threatening – yet I know the enemy, the Devil tries repeatedly to attack by planting negative thoughts in my mind and by seeking to wreck anything I do for Jesus (The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy … John 10:10). I have also experienced antagonism from unbelievers and yes, even had “Christian soldiers” shoot at me. Nevertheless, I will live out 1 Corinthians 15:58 knowing there is a great, future blessing coming. (58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Cor.15:58 NIV)

P. Thank you Lord for your faithfulness. Your mercies are truly new every morning. Thank you for the promise of future blessing and the encouragement to remain faithful. In Jesus’ name.

21 Days of Prayer -Day 20 -Friday- August 25, 2023-- Prayer Focus - FAITH FILLED PRAYERS

21 Days of Prayer -Day 20 -Friday- August 25, 2023-- Prayer Focus - FAITH FILLED PRAYERS

 22 new churches are being planted through ARC this September and October.

 When you get more dependent upon God, you get a fire and discover your purpose.

 It’s all about the harvest and for souls. The cry of God’s heart is for people far from God.

 Today we want to pray faith filled prayers. Just believing in God for great things.

 There are moments we cry out to God and our faith prayers become complaining prayers.. But today I want you to join me in praying faith filled prayers.

 James 5:16 (NKJV)

Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

 I love that – effective, fervent prayers of righteous people.. Avails.. (accomplishes) MUCH!!!!

 I need God much more in my life. I need a revival in my life much more. I want the impact of Jesus and in our community MUCH More.  I am believing in God for MUCH More.

 It’s like when you could go to McDonalds and SUPERSIZE your order (getting EXTRA).

Let’s not be afraid to believe in God for MUCH MORE.. for our families.. For our churches and for the HARVEST…

How many people woke up today and they need much more hope, much more faith, much more unity in their marriage, hope for their kids, and believing God for the sickness they are fighting, or for relationships?  There are people who are looking for MUCH more in their spiritual life.

EFFECTIVE PRAYERS

When we pray effective prayers - we pray God’s Word. In our prayer journals, pages 27-40, we pray the Word of God - and when I do, I know these are effective.

 FERVENT PRAYERS

I like the word fervent. That means to press. We are going to press on or pray through. Sometimes you need to pray through the negative emotions, .. it’s praying through it.

 RIGHTEOUS PRAYERS

Righteous prayers are all about the righteousness of Christ, It’s all about Jesus. So I’m praying effective prayers based on the Word, I’m praying fervent because I am pushing through. And I’m praying righteous prayers because it’s about Jesus and these prayers avail or accomplish MUCH!!

 Let’s continue to pray effective, fervent, righteous prayers that accomplish MUCH!

21 Days of Prayer -Day 19 -Thursday- August 24, 2023-- Prayer Focus - REPENTANCE

21 Days of Prayer -Day 19 -Thursday- August 24, 2023-- Prayer Focus -  REPENTANCE

 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NLT)

14 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.

 This is a great reminder toward the end of week 3, the role that repentance plays in revival. So this is not the end of something, but actually the beginning of something.

 Psalm 24:3-4 (NLT)

Who may climb the mountain of the Lord?  Who may stand in his holy place?

4 Only those whose hands and hearts are pure,  who do not worship idols  and never tell lies.

All of our sins are paid for, past, present and future. There are still things that try to hinder us and keep us at the foot of the mountain.

Enjoy what you experience with Jesus -

 Big Idea: Repentance clears the way for revival.

 Repentance means to turn not just from awful sin. But to turn away from anything that can hinder or distract.

2 Chronicles 29:5, 16, 17-18 (NLT)

5 He said to them, “Listen to me, you Levites! Purify yourselves, and purify the Temple of the Lord, the God of your ancestors. Remove all the defiled things from the sanctuary…….

16 The priests went into the sanctuary of the Temple of the Lord to cleanse it, and they took out to the Temple courtyard all the defiled things they found. From there the Levites carted it all out to the Kidron Valley.

17 They began the work in early spring, on the first day of the new year,[a] and in eight days they had reached the entry room of the Lord’s Temple. Then they purified the Temple of the Lord itself, which took another eight days. So the entire task was completed in sixteen days. 18 Then the Levites went to King Hezekiah and gave him this report: “We have cleansed the entire Temple of the Lord, the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the table of the Bread of the Presence with all its utensils.

Taking completely away from things that accumulate, distract and hinder. 

 They cleaned out the temple and removed the clutter. They then moved it away further so it was out of sight.

We get so used to things that accumulate in our hearts, that we need to clean out and turn from.

3 prayers to pray:

 Recognize it: Lord, show me.

 Is there any clutter that needs to go?

Remove it: Lord, empower me.

Anything that hinders, Lord give me the power to lay it down and get it out of my life.

 Romans 12:1 (NLT)

And so, dear brothers and sisters,[a] I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.

 Restore it: Lord, forgive me.

 When we get the stuff out, we are restored to do and be what God has called us to be and do.

 That frees us to ascend God’s Holy hill.

 Psalm 51:10-12 (NIV)

Create in me a pure heart, O God,  and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Repentance clears the way for revival.